Cuomo announces grand opening of $24.4-million mixed-use housing development in West Seneca

Submitted

Fri, Nov 18th 2016 07:35 pm

Pictured: Vice President of DePaul Properties Inc. Gillian Conde; Assistant Commissioner, Buffalo Regional Office of New York State Homes and Community Renewal Leonard Skrill; New York State Assemblyman Michael P. Kearns; Associate Commissioner for Adult Community Care, Division of Adult Services, New York State Office of Mental Health Moira Tashjian; DePaul President Mark Fuller; Town of West Seneca Supervisor Sheila M. Meegan; Town of West Seneca Councilman Gene Hart and Michael R. Ranney, CRC-R, LMHC, commissioner of Mental Health, Erie County.

Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo
announced the grand opening of the $24.4 million Ebenezer Square apartments in
West Seneca. The mixed-use development replaces a long-vacant and blighted "big-box
store" and offers 25 affordable apartments integrated with a 75-unit licensed
residential program serving individuals with behavioral health concerns.

"These strategic investments help
support some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers by ensuring they have access to
a safe and decent place to call home," Cuomo said. "This project brings together affordable
housing alongside supportive residential programs, creating a truly integrated
community that will foster recovery and independence."

Operated by Living Opportunities of
DePaul, the three-story, 124,000-square-foot building, at 2400 Seneca St., features
one- and two-bedroom apartments. In addition to offering modern, well-appointed
apartments, Ebenezer Square offers stable housing in a service-enriched,
recovery-oriented setting to adult individuals with a psychiatric disability.

Licensed by the OMH, residents will
have 24/7 access
to care and can receive living skills training, medication management, linkages
to medical and dental care, health education, as well as educational and
vocational services.

Residents will also have access to off-street
parking, lounge areas on each floor, outdoor picnic areas, and a community
room. Staff and security are on-site 24-hours a day.

The project was completed with $16.5
million of interest-free construction financing from the New York State Office of
Mental Health. The permanent mortgage for this construction loan was through
$16.5 million in tax-exempt bond financing from the Dormitory Authority of the
State of New York.

The Office of Mental Health will provide
approximately $1.05 million in funding to support the annual debt service on
this mortgage, another $1.34 million in annual funding to support service and
operating expenses, and also provided a $436,150 program development grant for
startup costs. Additional support was provided by New York State Homes and
Community Renewal, with a $681,698 allocation in Low Income Housing Tax Credits
that generated approximately $6.2 million in private equity to help finance the
project costs.

Ebenezer Square features the latest
energy-saving solar technology. A 150-kilowatt solar array is expected to
generate 172,000 kilowatts annually, which will account for about 75 percent of
the building's electrical usage. To offset the cost of the solar panel
installation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
provided $50,000 in funding through the NY-Sun Initiative. NYSERDA also
contributed an additional $250,000 through its Low-Rise Residential New
Construction Program. The project received $184,050 in New York State Solar Tax
Credits.

New York State
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Ebenezer Square is
successfully integrating a licensed residential program with affordable
housing. Residential programs such as Ebenezer have been shown to help their
clients find lasting recovery and a better connection with their surrounding
communities. Under Gov. Cuomo's leadership, New York state continues to expand
the opportunities and options, which enable individuals with disabilities to
live fully integrated lives in their home communities."

New York State
Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy said, "As we unveil Ebenezer Square and the 100
new units it brings, we're reminded of DePaul's commitment and dedication to
advocating for affordable housing opportunities across Western New York. My thanks
and congratulations goes out to all who collaborated on this incredible
investment, as I know this quality, accessible and energy-efficient building
will be a welcome asset for West Seneca and the people who call it home."

New York State
Assemblyman Michael P. Kearns said, "DePaul Properties Ebenezer Square
Apartments has had a major impact on the community even before the completion
of the project. With the demolition of a former 'big-box store' that had been
vacant for years, we are now witnessing a revitalization of this parcel. Today
we have services and support progress for our neighbors. Additionally, DePaul
is bringing quality, affordable apartments to West Seneca and a building using
renewable energy. I am proud to have had a small role in this project and
working with West Seneca officials to make it a reality."

Living
Opportunities of DePaul President Mark H. Fuller said, "DePaul is
pleased to be a community partner in meeting the need for quality, affordable
housing and residential mental health programming options in West Seneca and
throughout New York state. We wish to thank Gov. Cuomo and the state for
providing DePaul with the funding that has made this project a reality. We are
so proud to be part of the West Seneca community. Ebenezer Square is an example
of progress and partnership in action."

In September, Cuomo directed New York
State Division of the Budget Director Robert Mujica to execute a memorandum of
understanding to release $2 billion in funding to advance the creation of more than
100,000 units of affordable and supportive housing over the next five years.
The executed agreement is now before the New York State Senate and Assembly for
action.